by CJ Adler
Blubber waves the matter off, uncaring, as he tries to defend himself. “Well, Oog and Simo are here.”
“Oog and Simo are both in their late twenties. They are grown men, they just don't act like it,” I tell him. “But you, you're like my little brother—”
I'm cut off by Blubber's yelp of terror. “Oh, you did not just 'bro zone' me! You 'family zoned' me! That's worse than 'friend zoning' me.”
I open my mouth to reply before we both hear arguing. Blubber's eyes move past me and to something behind me. I follow his gaze to see Oog and Simo fighting. Gland's there too. They're all three on the dance floor causing a commotion, bumping people out of their way.
On top of it all, Oog keeps tripping people because they can't see him— that's how short he is. He growls at them and then at Simo when Simo waves his white, flabby stomach in Oog's face. I know Simo did it on purpose, judging by the naughty laugh that spills out of him when Oog looks away.
I sigh before turning to Blubber to finish my lecture. “Stop putting the moves on college girls, m'kay?”
“I can't help that I'm a chick magnet! You'll come around eventually and I'll be waiting for you!” he calls after me as I make my way onto the dance floor where the three are causing a racket.
I pull Oog off of Simo and help Simo back up to his feet, which is no easy task. I shove Gland away from Simo too seeing as he looks ready to kill Simo for hitting Oog in the face with his ginormous stomach.
“What is going on with you three?” I ask as people give us flat looks for taking up extra space on the dance floor.
“Eela!” Oog grins excitedly. “Oog just dance…” he trails off, showing me some of his dance moves before continuing, “then Simo—” he points at Simo, “— whack Oog down with…” Oog trails off and hits Simo's tubby tummy to get his point across, half of his arm disappearing into Simo's stomach fat.
“We talked about hitting people, Oog,” I scold him despite Simo looking unaffected by the slap—he's got extra layers that act as a shock absorber. I bet he didn't feel a thing.
Oog pouts and turns to Simo with an apologetic expression. “Oog sorry…” Oog falters as a mischievous snicker escapes him, “that you so fat.”
“Oog!” I reprimand him.
“I was taking care of them pairs of doofus heads,” Gland reassures me, unfazed.
“Thanks, Gland,” I say, smiling at him in appreciation.
Gland nods at me as he and Oog resort back to their breakdancing.
“Sprinkle Simo's hero!” Before I can even say anything in return, Simo has already grabbed my hands and pulled me to him. “Sprinkle and Simo dance.”
Unfortunately, for the next song, I suffer. I let out a relieved breath when the song ends and I'm freed. I eagerly leave the dance floor, allowing Simo to go back to jumping on the spot and jiggling his stomach about like he was doing before Oog attacked him.
I turn around, only to come face-to-face with Jay himself. He takes my hand in his and leads me back to the dance floor, not giving me much of a choice.
I place my hands on Jay's shoulders as he places his hands on my waist. I try to put as much space between us as possible but Jay's not having it. I scowl up at him but allow it as he begins guiding my steps, leading me as we sway to the rhythm of the music.
At one point, he spins me around and dips me, making me laugh. He twirls me around again before bringing me back into his arms, catching me.
“Since when do you dance?” I ask, my interest spiked.
He shrugs. “Just now.”
“You like dancing?” I ask as the song draws to a close. “Not really,” he answers truthfully. “I could do without it.”
“So, no more dances with you?” I ask as he steps back and releases me. “Only this once,” he says in all seriousness.
I suppress a smile. “Disappointing.”
“You'll be even more disappointed when you lose this fight or whatever this is that you've started,” he jokes, playfully tapping my nose, before leaving. “You're going to lose, meep meep meep!” I mock him under my breath as
I make my way to a corner in order to escape the crowds for a little bit.
“Strange to not see you in the very center of the room. I almost didn't recognize you.”
Who dares to imply that I'm an attention hog?
I glance up to see Grey leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest and a cigarette between his lips. Just when I thought he can't get anymore scarier, he does.
“Well, it's very expected to find you in some random dark corner of Jay's house. You're like a vampire that way,” I tease, happy to see him.
“I saw you, you know.” He nods to the dance floor, putting out his cigarette seeing as I'm here. “With Simo,” he adds. “You too, huh?” I ask, embarrassed.
“The whole planet knows how you feel about Jay yet you gave Simo some time of your day. That was…” He trails off as if realizing what he's about to do, his words left hanging in the air between us.
“Was what?” I question, now intrigued. He stays silent as if contemplating on whether or not to say it. “Tell me,” I demand bossily. “Nice,” Grey concludes reluctantly.
I grin widely before milking it. “Did Grey Ferrot just compliment me?”
“Don't flatter yourself, Lawson.” He scowls down at me. “I was just stating a fact.”
“Aww, Grey, don't get a girl's hopes up,” I tease him.
He really is my favorite person to tease. He's a decent person. He just likes to act like he's all trouble. I see through it and he knows it. I also know that it irritates him.
I change the subject. “So, check this out, it's impossible to say the word 'bubbles' in an angry voice,” I tell him, tying it out for the hundredth time since learning the fact. “Bubbles! Bubbles! Bubbles!” I keep trying, only to fail—I still sound happy. “Bubbles! Bubb—”
“Bubbles,” Grey says once through his normal voice.
I raise both of my eyebrows at him, shocked. “Of course, you can do it! You're always grumpy.”
“I have my reasons,” Grey retorts back rudely.
I take him by surprise with my next words as I offer him a sympathetic smile. “I know,” I tell him, sincere. “I know, Grey, and it doesn't matter because I like grumpy you.”
Grey falls silent at my words, averting his dark eyes from mine.
“Uh…thanks, I guess.”
“No prob'. Now, let's hug it out,” I mess with him again as I go in for a hug with my arms wide open.
He shoves me away just as I had expected him to. “Let's not get sappy.”
“No, let's!” I insist as move back in to embrace him.
He dodges me, stepping just out of my reach. “Aqueela! I swear!”
I stop tormenting him and burst into fits of giggles at his reaction as he watches me carefully.
“I hate you,” he mutters, shaking his head at me as he takes a step back, genuinely afraid that I'll jump forward and hug the life out of him.
“We both know that that's not true,” I elbow him playfully before leaving him in peace.
I move past the crowds in search of Bells. It's really not difficult seeing as she's currently in a massive argument with Mason. Those two haven't spoken since their break-up.
“You broke up with me, remember? You used me! So now you can't tell me what to do anymore because I'm not yours! Not anymore!” Bells shouts directly into his face.
“I only advised you stop drinking so much. Calm down,” Mason replies back quietly, restraining himself from lashing out at her.
Mason has never yelled at Bells before and I doubt he will start now. He has a soft spot for her.
“Don't tell me what to do, Mason! You used me!” Bells roars in return, slapping him through the face, finally expressing her hurt.
Laiken, unfortunately, gets involved, which makes it that much worse for both of them, especially Bella. I have to force him to leave. I comfort Bell and then send her to the bathr
oom to clean up her tears.
“Mason, you haven't spoken to her since the breakup,” I tell him once she's out of earshot. “You should apologize.”
Mason nods, looking past me before his eyes widen. “Aqueela, watch out!”
He grabs me by my waist and moves me out of the way.
My mouth falls agape when I see Dylan go crashing to the floor, Benley hovering above him as he punches Dylan senseless.
“Stop it, Ben!” Bex, Benley's ex-girlfriend and Dylan's current girlfriend, screams in terror. “You're hurting him!”
“That's the point!” Benley shouts back as he sends another fist into Dylan's face.
You've got to be kidding me!
Mason easily shoves Benley off of Dylan, used to fighting. “You're out of line,” he tells Ben, setting him straight, before leaving to go and find Bell.
Bex and some other guys run over to help Dylan up.
I march over to Benley and hit him upside the head. “What is the matter with you?!”
“Did you know? Did you know that Dylan, your friend, is dating my ex?!” He seethes in fury.
“Yes,” I admit. “But who cares, Ben Ben? She cheated on you. Let her go. You can do waaay better. I know you can. You've got an entire fan base of girls, what makes Bex so special?”
“The fact that she was mine first!” he snaps, taking out his frustration and hurt on me.
I sigh as I reach out toward him. His nose is bleeding. “Let's get you cleaned up.” I tug him by his upper arm against his will and pull him all the way to my bathroom upstairs where Max is still out cold on my bed, snoring and drooling all over my pillow.
I hand Benley a box of tissues for his nose and push him into the bathroom, ignoring his questioning stare as to why Max is asleep in my room.
I eagerly head back downstairs only to see Emma, Landon, Grey and Xavier all in a huge debate.
Landon, a guy of few words and many fists, explodes and punches Xavier in his pretty face. “Stay away from my sister or I will end you!” he threatens Xavier, obviously upset over something Xavier just said.
“Landon, don't,” Emma commands quietly, her voice low.
Landon surprises us all by actually listening to her.
Xavier makes a move forward as if ready to fight back. Grey's quick to step in and block him from getting to Landon. “Are you crazy?” Grey asks him, point-blank. “It's Landon! You stand no chance and you know it.”
Landon grins in pride. “I can take anyone.”
“Wanna bet?” Xavier frowns, pushing against Grey as he tries to get to Landon but Grey is stubbornly refusing to budge.
I send Xavier a look. “Don't even think about it, pretty boy,” I warn him, ready to annihilate him if need be.
Xavier backs down when a pretty brunette walks past. He, of course, follows after her like a lost puppy.
“What is that guy's deal with you in any case?” I ask Emma, having noticed that Xavier seems besotted with her. He pays her extra attention in comparison with other females.
Landon, temperamental Landon, answers for his sister, “None of your business!”
I raise my hands in defense. “Jeez, anger management needed right here.”
Landon glowers at me for this, offended. Emma offers me a grin. “He already goes.” Whoops, didn't see that coming.
I glance up at Landon, taking in his beautiful green eyes. “Sorry, I didn't know. Do me a favor and take Jay and Grey with you sometime,” I say, making light of the situation.
He cracks a grin while Grey gives me his infamous glare for implying that he has temper issues. Well, he does!
“Hey, Aqueela?” Emma speaks up. “Mhmm?” I answer.
“Do you, by chance, know those two girls?” she asks as she points to the two girls in a catfight.
Melinda and FeeBee.
“Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do,” I say, watching as the two girls fight with each other over something stupid…I can only assume. Melinda's almost always in a fight over something pointless.
Melinda pulls FeeBee's hair, her go-to move, and FeeBee lets out a high- pitched scream.
“That's it!” I raise my tone as I march toward the two girls and forcefully pull them apart.
“Get out of my way, drowned rat. For once, it's not you I want dead!”
Melinda hisses into my face like the evil serpent she is.
I roll my eyes at her, not threatened at all. “No!” I shout back, reaching my breaking point. “I've had it! I've had it with you!” I point to Melinda. “You!” I point to FeeBee. “And even you!” I point to some random guy just because I can – his face is annoying me! He looks terrified of me. Good!
All my friends have been fighting and I'm sick of it. The only two that haven't caused any trouble are Jam and Boss Man. Boss Man has just been drinking and chilling with people while Jam has been dancing the Limbo with other laid-back hippies like himself.
They are my new favorites!
I hear clapping from the sidelines before I see Jay pushing his way through. “Wow, Aqueela. It seems to me as if you're having a bit of a meltdown. Getting angry?” he taunts me with a knowing smirk. “'Cause that's what you're tryna do with me, right?”
I force a sickly sweet smile onto my face. “No, I'm as happy as can be,” I say through clenched teeth, hiding my anger.
“Are you sure?” Jay asks, taking a bold step forward as he inspects my expression. “Because if you were to lose your temper, it would mean that I win whatever this is,” he reminds me.
I point to my fake smile. “I'm walking on damn sunshine, JJ!” I lie straight to his face.
He merely grins in response, not buying it. “If you say so,” he concludes, his blue eyes filled with mischief before he walks away and disappears into the crowds.
I don't have time to question his motives because immediately everyone turns their attention to the stage as if seeing something fascinating. I follow all their gazes to see Benley and Max on stage singing 'Easy Love' by R5 together.
Max, as previously discovered, sucks at singing while Benley is actually quite good. Benley has a knack for the cultural side. He's a natural at drumming, DJ-ing and now even singing. At least, he is smiling again.
Still, the girls go gaga for them both, all shouting Max and Benley's name in praise. As a result, the two walk to the edge of the stage and touch the girls' hands as they pass them by, acting like a pair of superstars.
“Chug! Chug! Chug!” People begin to roar in enthusiasm from somewhere behind me.
I spin around to see Grey upside down, chugging beer. By the looks of things, he's doing really well.
It's official, I hate parties. I find no peace in them. This is Jay's fault! Speaking of which, my gaze lands on him and the girl on his arm. Coincidentally, they're directly in my line of vision.
Threat detected!
Jay's eyes find mine. When he sees I'm watching, he flashes me a boyish grin before he turns his full attention back to the pretty blonde clinging to his arm.
I stand corrected, threat undetected. He's staging this. I'm sure of it.
Jay leans in and whispers something in her ear. She giggles before kissing his cheek.
I scoff, doubt now creeping in.
He has the nerve to send me a wink before leading the girl upstairs in the direction of his room.
I can feel my blood pulsating through my veins as my temper begins to boil over. I suck in a deep breath and try to keep a level-head. Nope! Not working! I'm killing him!
I race upstairs after them and storm into Jay's room without knocking first. “You horrible, idiotic, moronic, stupid, awful excuse for a human being…” I trail off, faltering mid-sentence at finding Jay and the girl casually playing a racing game on his Xbox.
He stifles a chuckle at seeing the impulsive side to me. “By all means, continue insulting me.”
I sigh in realization under his playful gaze. “You set me up!”
He shakes his head. “Nah, I just won and I
gotta say it feels good having the upper hand for once.” He turns to the blonde girl and gives her a dollar. “Thanks.”
The girl that Jay had just been flirting with stands up. She walks past me, sending me a wink, her way of making fun of me for being so gullible when she's the cheap one.
I glower up at Jay through my lashes as I cross my arms over my chest in defiance. “You are so evil. This is a side to you that I've never seen before.” He merely grins. “Don't be a sore loser, Aqueels. It's not attractive.”
“Fine!” I huff. “You win.” I grit out angrily. “But I'll get you back!”
A chuckle resonates from his chest. “Looking forward to it, Aqueela,” he remarks with a sly grin before leaving me alone in his room, clearly not taking me seriously.
I slap my forehead in frustration just as Benley and Max come sprinting through the open door, terror visible in their eyes. “Aqueela, help us! They're all after us! Those girls are vultures!” Max shouts, panicked. “Bells is going to murder me for this!” He gestures to his shirt that has been ripped.
“Hide us!” Benley yells as he and Max hide behind the door of Jay's room. “Whatever you do, under no circumstances, do you tell those girls we are here. If you value our lives, you'll help us!”
“Okay, okay, relax! I got it,” I reassure them.
It's a couple seconds later when a flock of girls come sprinting my way. Their leader stops right in front of me, a crazy glint to her eyes. “Have you seen Bennie and Maxi? We saw them come this way.”
I glance back to see Max's pleading eyes and Benley's desperate expression.
Do I value their lives?
I open the door wider and let the girls in. “They're both cowering behind the door right over there!” I point to the exact spot where the both of them are, deciding to give them up for the hell of it. I'm Aqueela Lawson after all. It's expected of me. Plus, I really need a win today.
“Aqueela!” they both exclaim in fury and fear as they quickly become buried under all the girls crushing them.
I walk out of Jay's room and slam the door closed after me.
Chapter 40
Rest In Peace